Spring 2017 • Issue 56 Maritime Messenger

Food & Drink Festival The Island Youth Club Springs Back A Bloom of Colour Flip Out University of Greenwich at Medway Diary Dates

Live Work Study Play IN BRIEF Who’s Who in The Observatory Jonathan Sadler In brief Jonathan Sadler is the Chief Executive of the Trust responsible for the Trust’s role at Chatham Maritime Johnathan Sadler and its funding. Chief Executive 01634 891888 [email protected] Grant Leathwhite In his new role as Residential Services Officer Grant deals with covenant and The development in the commercial areas consents, re-mortgages and is the continues apace, with the opening of the new main point of contact for St. Mary’s café, McGuire’s, in the old Pump House next to the Island residents. 01634 793943 / 07867 507187 Copper Rivet Distillery. On Jetty 5 a new American [email protected] restaurant and bar, a tanning salon and a new Dean Marsh Shepherd Neame bar are all due to open soon. Dean Marsh is the Contracts, Procurement & Facilities Manager, responsible for all aspects of contract procurement and management. A planning application has also been submitted to 01634 793942 Medway Council by WD Outlet Management Ltd [email protected] for the reuse of the old Machine Shop, a Grade II listed structure situated next to the Co-op. The Peter Hall Peter Hall is the Finance Manager & Company proposal includes the construction of a new tent Secretary responsible for managing the Trust’s like structure which encapsulates the old frame, finance function and related professional thereby protecting it from the elements. A number services such as banking and audit. 01634 793944 of residents both from the Wharf and St Mary’s [email protected] Island have registered their concern over aspects of the proposals and the matter will now be Elona Walker considered by Medway Council. Elona Walker is the Trust Administrator/PA to Chief Executive focusing on supporting the CEO and Trustees. The Trust has recently taken over Basin 2 from 01634 793945 the HCA and we have brought back Arethusa and [email protected] Medway Water Sports Trust to run a range of actives on the water. Lynsey Kember Lynsey Kember is a member of the AAT. She All the hard work by residents planting bulbs last is responsible for collecting rentcharge Autumn has certainty paid off with East and payments, credit control and payroll. 01634 793946 Central bunds a blaze of colour. I would also like [email protected] to take this opportunity to thank residents for working with Grant to resolve breaches in Vanessa Jarmak covenants. It all helps to maintain the high Is the Community Centre Team Leader. standards on St Mary’s Island. Vanessa oversees hiring of the facility along with day-to-day operations with Nicole. The Trust will shortly be holding our 4th Food and 01634 890072 Drinks Festival over the May bank holiday [email protected] including the very popular dragon boat racing on the Sunday and a new event, the Big Purple Fun Nicole Barrett Is a Community Centre Administrator. Run around St Mary’s Island on the Monday. Nicole works closely with Vanessa Let’s hope for some assisting in all aspects of hiring the facility. good weather. 01634 890072 [email protected] At Chatham Maritime Trust we pride ourselves in: Planning Consent Reminder: There are no permitted Acting with integrity development rights on St. Mary’s Island, this means that if you want to build an extension, erect a Always providing a high standard of service conservatory or shed etc. then you need to apply for planning permission from Medway Council and Restrictive Covenant consent from the Trust. All the Treating others with respect information, including a guidance note on the Council’s planning process, is on the Trust’s website (Live/ Behaving ethically Restrictive Covenants/Alterations).

2 Shaping the future of Medway Some 60 residents fed back their comments to Medway Council’s Local Plan at a drop-in session organised by SMIRA (St. Mary’s Island Residents Association). The main points highlighted from that session include: Live Health – the need for a new Infrastructure – concern District Hospital about insufficient infrastructure to support increasing residential development, i.e. Housing – insufficient GP/Hospital services, provision for older residents; educational places demand for single storey ground floor living Car parking – concerns about St. Mary’s Island becoming a Chatham Town Centre – poor commuter car park / inadequate road capacity. What measures are planned to reduce congestion and Leisure – provision of a new pollution? conference/arts facility (Dickens World site?) New Branding

Redevelopment of Medway You may have noticed – would like to see a Retail City Estate – could this be greater range of retail outlets primarily a residential site the new logo for the – mainly food creating another community like St. Mary’s Island with its Maritime Messenger. own support services – GP, School, Community Centre etc. The 4 flags logo is based on a very early logo for Chatham Maritime Safety/Security – the which you can still see on signs manpower and resources of the emergency services should around the Estate. The Trust activities be increased to meet the ever have previously had different logos increasing population but this will change with the 4 flags logo being adopted across the range Thanks to those residents that of things we run including the Food attended and contributed to help and Drink festival, the Community Centre, the Maritime Messenger and shape the future of Medway. the Friday Flyer. Our contractors, when working on the Estate, will also use the new logo. By revamping an old logo in this way and rolling it out over time not only do we maintain a link with the past but develop a coordinated approach at minimum costs.

2 new zebra crossings – one Colonial House on the South of outside the Community Centre and Peacocks are due to Basin. The existing building is due another between the School and take a unit at Dockside to be demolished this year and new development. Both should be replaced with a residential installed by June 2017. Outlet Centre development.

3 games and “Tuck Shop” that are available In addition to financial assistance from the Following financial most weeks. Since it reopened they have also Trust the Club enjoys regular funding from support from the Trust, raised on the night almost £100.00 for Ward Councillors. David would like to thank “Children in Need” and, more recently, over the Trust, Ward Councillors, Rod Parr and all the Island Youth Club £120.00 for “Red Nose Day” appeals the amazing Volunteers for ensuring that the ensuring that Members are made aware of Island Club survives and continues to provide (Island Castaways) those less fortunate than themselves. young children with one of life’s memorable reopened on the16th and enduring experiences. September last year.

The Club invites all children starting Year 6 at the Island School or who live on the Island to become Members and meets most Friday The Island evenings at the Community Centre between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. It currently enjoys a membership of almost 60 children between the ages of 10 and 13 years. The big Youth Club difference is that, with the help of the Island Church, School and many Island residents the Club now has over 30 Volunteers who each try and attend one Friday night every month Springs Back and more if they feel able. This means that they have been able to put These are the dates that the Club is open for on activities such as “Nerf Gun Wars”, Circus the rest of this school year and, if you would like Skills”, “Cheerleading” and soon “Volleyball”, to add to the regular arts and craft, table to know more about membership or volunteering games, snooker, table tennis, electronic at the Club please call David Taylor on 893447. May: Friday 5th, Friday 12th, Friday 19th and Friday 26th June: Friday 9th, Friday 16th, Friday 23rd and Friday 30th July: Friday 7th and Friday 14th (the Club is then closed until it re-opens in September) Play

4 4 Live The landscaping on St. Mary’s Island is a key feature of what makes the Island a great place to live. Spring has arrived; gardens and nature are springing into life.

The result of last year’s community bulb The Trust’s contractor, planting day on the Central East Bund has Turfsoil, has been working manifested in a glorious colour of red and hard to effect improvement blue anemones – in the colour of Help in the landscaping across for Heroes. the estate. They have recently completed the This year the community planting day tree works on the East will be held on Saturday 7th October Bund to ensure that roots 2017 and the planting will be in yellow do not penetrate the to recognise the good work that encapsulated Bund. Trees Marie Curie do. will be replaced with more suitable planting.

On the Central East Bund the hawthorn hedging has been reduced to reinstate the top of the French drain; gaps to be replanted. At the Central Lookout overgrown plants and weeds have been removed and will be replaced with more suitable colourful planting. Work will also include fencing under the area to prevent access.

Mick Heyward from Fen Pest Control taking pictures of the bird box.

A bloom of colour Copyright: Katarzyna Białasiewicz 5 Flip Out offers more than trampolining…

Time has flown since UK Sports Minister Tracey Crouch formally opened Flip Out Chatham in Dockside, on the 25th of November last year!

Owners Mark and Sue McGill commented “We have had an amazing few months since our opening and are now welcoming over 10,000 “flippers” every month!”

It’s easy to see why, with a total of SEVENTY interconnected trampolines available for use against a backdrop of amazing street art scenery. There are separate ‘flip’ areas for older children and adults to jump on and off boxes, as well as an area for younger children and a dedicated under five area too. This makes it a great all-inclusive family destination. Play We believe exercise should be fun. Trampolining burns more calories than cycling or running and is low impact which is good for strengthening the bones. We call it exercise by stealth, as you’re having so much fun you don’t realise you are exercising!

6 We think local people will love the feel and views from our Cafe, and our amazing Coffee, Cakes and Artisan Pizza!

Why not pay us a visit and have a ‘free cup of tea or coffee on us’, when you show this article. And you don’t have to flip either, just pop in for something to eat or drink and relax looking out at the Marina…

Flip Out has really made the most of their waterside location, by opening a Cafe with amazing views over the Marina and a stunning sun terrace for the summer.

7 Recognition for service in the community David Taylor, who has served as one of two SMIRA nominated Trustees on the board of Chatham Maritime Trust for ten years, has received a second “Pride in Medway” award and was presented with his certificate, together with other nominees in a number of different categories, by the Mayor of Medway, Stuart Tranter, at Mid College in February this year.

“Pride in Medway” awards are presented for a number of different categories and, in David’s case, it was in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Medway as a “Charity Fundraiser and Volunteer of the Home is Year in Community Service” following nomination by an SMI resident.

David, who received his first “Pride in Medway” award in 2010 for “Community Involvement” has been the Chairman of St Mary’s Island where the Resident’s Association for 12 years, started an Island Active Retirement Association, “Saintara”, in 2006 that now has a membership of over 200 Medway residents and a Youth Club “Island Castaways” in 2009, with a current membership of over 60 children. Hub is The new student hub called “The Deep End” opened in January and was aptly named by students reflecting the building’s former use as a swimming pool and bowling alley. An official opening of the facility took place on 23rd 1917 Attack March 2017; Dame Julia Goodfellow and Professor David Maguire were given a Commemorated tour of the centre, met with students and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion. The men lost their lives when the Drill The facility is available to hire for private Hall of HMS Pembroke Royal Naval bookings. For more information take a Barracks was bombed by German Gotha look at their website www.gkunions. airplanes. The hands of the clock in the co.uk. If you are interesting in booking tower were frozen at 11.12 pm, the the venue email Lesley Ellard, exact time the bombs hit the building. Head of GK Unions Partnership: There is a bronze plaque mounted on a [email protected]. granite plinth which is located outside at the entrance to the Drill Hall Library The death of 131 Naval men (aged enabling all visitors to view it without between 17–54) who were killed during a having to access the building. bombing raid over Chatham during the First World War will be commemorated on The organisers are looking for knitted the 10th September 2017 at the poppies –to form a memorial display Campus; this within the Drill Hall; these are needed by public event is being organised by the RNA the end of July. Knitted poppies can be Chatham with the help of University staff. taken to the Community Centre on a Watch out for further details to be Friday morning or given to the Reception announced in the Trust’s Friday Flyer desk at the Drill Hall. For further details, publication and on the Trust’s website. contact Martina Brooks at the Drill Hall Library. Tel. 01634 883196 or email: On the night of 3rd September 1917 there [email protected] were 698 men either asleep or resting in their hammocks in the Drill Hall. The Drill Hall is now home to the Throughout its life, the Drill Hall had been Universities at Medway library which used as a temporary overflow dormitory offers services to the Students of when the barrack accommodation blocks Greenwich, Kent and Canterbury Christ were full. Church universities. 8 University of Greenwich at Medway The Medway Campus was originally the home of the former HMS Pembroke barracks. In 1994, the University The Medway School of Pharmacy is part of the joint of Greenwich established a campus on the upper level, Universities at Medway (UaM) campus, the result of a investing heavily over the next decade to improve and unique partnership which has brought together the expand its facilities. Currently the University of Greenwich University of Greenwich, and provision at Medway includes Science, Engineering and the Canterbury Christ Church University. The £120 million world renowned Natural Resources Institute (NRI) which scheme was the first of its kind in the country. works on food, nutrition and agriculture projects mainly in sub Saharan Africa. The work of the NRI has won many Each of the four institutions offers its own range of national and international prizes including the Queen’s courses, both full and part-time, drawing on their own Anniversary Prize in 2015. individual academic strengths. By being on a shared campus, some 10,000 students have access to a wide In 2003, architects RMJM started work to create a range of first-class facilities. visually striking shared campus which combines the historic nature of the site with the best of British One of the driving forces behind the Universities at contemporary architecture. In 2005, the University of Medway initiative was the common desire to open Kent relocated its Medway provision onto the site while higher education to as many people as possible. the Grade II listed Drill Hall was opened, following Each of the four partner’s welcome applications renovation, to become a state-of-the-art learning from people without traditional qualifications, as resource centre for the campus incorporating a library well as from those entering higher education with excellent IT facilities and study spaces. through a more formal route. Each partner is also Canterbury Christ Church University is also part of the committed to the highest standards of teaching shared campus located in Rowan Williams Court on and support services expected by students in the the lower level. In January 2017, a brand-new 21st century. student hub was opened at the Medway campus The shared campus is an economic, social and following a £5m investment from the Universities of cultural focus for the Medway region, and is at Kent and Greenwich. The new hub has provided the heart of the strategy to bring renewed students with a fantastic social space and meeting economic prosperity to Medway. area for many of the student clubs and societies which run on the campus. Universities at Medway by Professor Martin Snowden, Pro Vice-Chancellor

Study 9 that has all of the right ingredients to McGuire’s Fine Foods was founded by Nina succeed. A true love of good food and where it has come from (supporting locally grown Copeland and it has taken more than two years and produced) and hand-selecting the best of the rest from around the world. McGuire’s of planning to be able to offer a unique retail Fine Foods wants to share its knowledge and passion with its customers. Wanting to food environment and delicatessen café in this engage in conversation about new products, ways to eat, prepare and enjoy the food and area of Kent. Her love of food, the quality and the wanting to serve dishes that make your mouth water. And on top of all of that, this is provenance has come from her family background, done in this amazing home at Copper Rivet as has the company name. Distillery, Pump House No. 5. McGuire’s will stock products from more than McGuire’s is the name of her maternal with Matthew Russell, who she had worked twenty producers in Kent – cheese, grandparents where she spent most school for a number of years previous. He, his charcuterie, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, holidays waking up to the smell of freshly brother and father were venturing out on an juices, crisps, curry sauces and a lot more. baked bread. Of Belgian heritage, her exciting new endeavour to setting up their grandmother, lovingly called M’Jacque, was own distillery making spirits from grain This real foodie destination opens 9.30 am to quite a character! She had an artistic nature grown locally. By chance they had stumbled 5.30 pm (last food order is 4 pm) Tuesday to and that would mean that she was either across a monumental derelict building that Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm on a Sunday painting, knitting, crafting or cooking. She had played a pivotal role in Chatham (last food order 3 pm). was a homely cook and everything was made Dockyard and had decided that this would be The Copper Rivet Distillery is a family run from scratch in the smallest kitchen you have the distillery’s unique home. On the off business producing authentic spirits. ever seen. Bread & Butter Teas were a firm chance, Nina enquired about whether there To find out about their products, tours and favourite for Nina and her sister, Fay and would be space for a little deli in the vast tastings visit their website probably why “picky bits” (now known as Pump House No. 5. She was told, “yes, but www.copperrivetdistillery.com. canapes or platters!) are a fundamental you might have to wait a little while….” element of the McGuire’s menu. And wait she did. It ended up being a longer After a long and fruitless search for the right wait than anyone had imagined but it was premises for McGuire’s Fine Foods worth it. McGuire’s Fine Foods at Copper Delicatessen & Café, Nina had a conversation Rivet Distillery is a passion project and one Introducing...

10 27-29 May

The 3-day Chatham Maritime Food & Drink Festival held alongside Basin 2 at Chatham Maritime. A wide range of locally produced food and drink will be on offer alongside plenty of entertainment. The Dragon Boat Race Challenge, organised by Medway Sunlight Rotary Club will be the main focus on the Sunday – a great team event and spectacle for visitors. The Dutch Barge Association and the Dunkirk Little Ships will be berthed in Basin 1 on all three days.

11 Useful Contact Numbers

Diary Dates Chatham Maritime Trust 01634 891888 For details of local events visit www.visitmedway.org Security 01634 890292 On Monday 29th May 17th June Community Centre 01634 890072 Chatham Rotary Club in partnership with Medway in Flames; a spectacular finale Doctor’s Surgery 01634 890712 The Event Umbrella have organised The Big event held by Medway Council at Chatham Pharmacy 01634 891207 Purple Fun Run – a charity fun-run around Maritime; tells the story of the historic naval Chatham Maritime in aid of Stroke battle. Water screens, digital projection, School 01634 891050 Association. You can jog, walk or dance your historical characters, special effects and Fen Pest Control 01580 754839 way around the course and dressing up in fireworks will bring the Battle of Medway to Odeon Filmline 0871 2244607 purple is encouraged with prizes for the best life. John Bloor 01634 893953 dressed. The course is roughly 4km long and 24th June New Leader for Island Church is suitable for all ages and abilities; dogs and  [email protected] buggies are welcome! Registration opens at Medway Armed Forces Day at the Great SMI Residents Association (SMIRA) 9.30 am with the race starting at 10.30 am. Lines Heritage Park, Gillingham from 11 am  [email protected] www.smira.info To register online or for more information visit to 5.30 pm. This is a free public event www.stroke.org.uk/bigpurplefunrun. organised by Medway Council in conjunction CML After-sales: 01732 747010 Email: [email protected], with the Royal School of Military Engineering. CML Customer Care team:  [email protected] Telephone: 0300 3300740. Activities will include have-a-go displays from the Armed Forces, a Royal Engineer Out of hours emergency 0845 245 8260 9th to 11th June 0845 140 0339 Dickens Festival in Rochester celebrates Trades Village, drive a military digger, the life and work of Charles Dickens. The helicopters fly-in, children’s assault course, Chatham Historic Dockyard 01634 823800 festival takes place from 10 am to 6 pm – Army bridge building, competition, laser Grant Leathwhite 07867 507187 street entertainment, parades, music and a range, naval forces display area, historic Estate Officer military vehicles and displays, funfair and a lot more… Christopher Harrison 07984 917654 lot more…. On the same day the Kent Cycle New Community Warden, Medway Council The Public Lectures offered by the Ride Cycle4Heroes takes place covering 48  [email protected] University of Greenwich (Faculty of miles through the Medway area. River Ward Councillors Engineering & Science) are free of charge This event is in support of Help for Heroes Cllr Habib Tejan 07985 169598/01634 891046 and hugely popular and therefore admission  [email protected] @HabibTejan is by registration only. and Steve Craddock, St. Mary’s Island’s To register call 0208 331 9800 or fundraising champion, will be joined by many Cllr Andrew Mackness 07970 734105  [email protected] email: [email protected]. wounded, sick and injured colleagues as well @andrewmackness. Lectures are held in the Ward Room, as the Minister for Sport, Tracey Crouch MP. Pembroke Building on the Medway Campus To see the cycle route and other details go to PCSO Helen Kristic (on duty) 07929 047198 starting at 6.30 pm and are followed by www.cycle4heroes.com.  [email protected] light refreshments. Kent Police Emergency 999 Non-emergency 101 24th May 3D Printing of Patient Specific Healthcare Crimestoppers 0800 555111 presented by Professor Dennis Douroumis. Medway Council 01634 306000 The lecture will present current trends and MC Emergency 01634 304400 advances including bioprinting of tissues and (out of hours service) organs and how 3D printing is revolutionizing The Medway Watersports Centre will Homes & Communities 0300 1234 500 patient healthcare. be coordinating Watersports activities in Agency 14th June Basin 2 with weekend and evening Environment Agency Hotline 0800 807 060 Keeping soldiers safe in the line of duty sessions. St. Mary’s Island School: www. presented by Dr Michael Okereke. The talk Please contact the Centre Principal – st-marys-island-cofe-primary-school.co.uk presents the research for blast resistant Russell Seex on either: military vehicles. [email protected] Medway’s commemoration of the 350th or telephone 01634 582100 anniversary of the Battle of Medway will or visit the website: be marked with a number of events, http://www.medwaywatersports.co.uk exhibitions and activities across Medway There will also be opportunities to over 2 weeks culminating in the final event extend skills and launch from the Strand on Saturday 17th June. For more information in Gillingham onto the go to www.medway.gov.uk/BoM

 www.cmtrust.co.uk Maritime Messenger is published by: Chatham Maritime Trust, The Observatory, Brunel, Dock Road Chatham Maritime. Kent ME4 4AF.  01634 891888,  01634 890808,  [email protected] Charity No. 1055710 Charity No. 12